“It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things we have always carried closest to our hearts.” - Woodrow Wilson

Meet Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States. Born in 1856 in Staunton, Virginia, Wilson's life is a journey of learning, leadership, and making important decisions for the country.

Woodrow Wilson's childhood was filled with books and learning. His family encouraged education, and young Woodrow was a curious and bright boy. Growing up during the Civil War, he experienced the challenges of a divided nation. His father was a Presbyterian minister who instilled in him a sense of morality and duty.

Wilson's family moved to Augusta, Georgia, where he spent much of his youth. Despite facing difficulties like losing his father at a young age, Wilson continued to pursue knowledge. He attended Davidson College and later transferred to Princeton University.

The Road to the White House

After graduating from Princeton, Wilson studied law at the University of Virginia and became a lawyer. But he really wanted to be a teacher and he enjoyed politics. So, he got his Ph.D. in political science and history from Johns Hopkins University and became a respected professor.

He later became president of Princeton University and showed off his leadership skills and forward-thinking ideas. That helped give him a good reputation the stage for his entry into politics.

In 1910, Wilson was elected as the Governor of New Jersey, which showed people he could lead a state and implement progressive reforms. This success catapulted him onto the national stage, making him a prominent figure within the Democratic Party.

Presidential Years

In 1913, Woodrow Wilson became the 28th President of the United States. Some of the important issues he faced during this time included:

1. Domestic Reforms: Wilson worked to improve the lives of everyday Americans by supporting certain changes. He championed laws that aimed to regulate big businesses, protect workers, and ensure fair competition. He created the Federal Reserve System to help control the outcomes of financial crises, like the one the nation recently experienced in 1908. His main goal as president was to fix problems at home (his domestic agenda), but soon something happened to steer his mind toward foreign affairs.

2. World War I: Wilson faced the challenge of leading the nation through World War I, a global conflict that began in 1914. He initially wanted to stay neutral, but after being re-elected in 1916, he eventually asked Congress to approve joining the war in 1917. Wilson's vision for peace became the basis for his famous Fourteen Points, which outlined principles for a just and lasting peace.

3. League of Nations: Wilson was a strong advocate for the League of Nations, an international organization aimed at preventing future wars through diplomacy and cooperation. Although the U.S. Senate ultimately rejected the treaty to join the League, Wilson's vision laid the groundwork for the United Nations, established after World War II.

After the Presidency

Woodrow Wilson's later years were marked by health challenges. In 1919, he suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. Despite this, Wilson remained active in public life, writing and advocating for his vision of global cooperation.

In 1920, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to create the League of Nations. However, the Senate's rejection of the treaty was a personal disappointment for him. Wilson spent the remaining years of his life reflecting on his presidency and working on his memoirs.

Woodrow Wilson's legacy is one of leadership, progressive reform, and a commitment to global cooperation. His vision for a world at peace and his dedication to domestic reforms have left a lasting impact on American history. While his presidency faced challenges, Wilson's ideals continue to shape discussions on international relations and the role of the United States in the world.

Woodrow Wilson's journey from a curious child to the President of the United States is a story of dedication and vision. His commitment to education, progressive values, and global cooperation defined his presidency. Despite facing personal and political challenges, Wilson's impact on the nation and the world is a testament to the enduring influence of leaders who strive to make a positive difference.

Recommended Reading

Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood: A World War I Tale by Nathan Hale

Graphic Novel for ages 8 to 12. In 1914, the world's biggest countries (and some of its smallest, too) were gearing up for a massive fight. Land, history, geography--each country went to war for different reasons and with different resources. But most ended up the same: sending their young men to fight for their lives in the mud, on the sea, and in the air, in a conflict that would eventually claim more than nine million lives.

Like the Willow Tree (Dear America) by Lois Lowry

In 1918, as the Great War rages in Europe, the Spanish influenza tears a brutal path across the United States, leaving devastation in its wake. Ordinary life is turned upside down as schools are closed, and all spheres of public life are shut down. Suddenly, eleven-year-old Lydia Pierce and her older brother, Daniel, find themselves orphans of the flu, and are taken by their grieving uncle to be raised in the Shaker community at Sabbathday Lake. Thrust into the Shaker's unfamiliar way of life, Lydia, a fiercely independent girl, must grapple with a new world that is nothing like the one she used to know. Lydia must work hard, and all the while she worries about her headstrong brother, who has run away. In time, and with her courageous spirit, Lydia learns to overcome the devastation wrought by the Spanish flu pandemic and find the joy in living with the Shakers -- yet she cannot stop wondering, will Daniel ever return? Ages 9 to 12.

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